The West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA) is a charity that supports and promotes the heritage of the West Somerset Railway, the Taunton to Minehead branch line in Somerset. It restores locomotives and carriages, funds heritage and community projects, and supports the railway’s volunteers.

Yes. The WSRA is a registered charity (no. 1041901) and a company limited by guarantee (no. 2968284), registered in England and Wales. It became an incorporated charity in 1994.

The WSRA was founded by a group of volunteers on 7 May 1971. Its first aim was to help reopen the Minehead branch, which British Railways had closed on 4 January that year.

The WSRA belongs to its members, who elect a board of up to ten Trustees at the Annual General Meeting. The Association has a strong and loyal membership base, supported by a small staff team.

No. The trains are run by West Somerset Railway PLC, which is responsible for the operational railway and its safety. The WSRA is a separate charity and the railway’s major fundraising partner.

WSR PLC operates the railway: trains, tickets and timetables. The WSRA is an independent charity owned by its members. It raises money for, and manages, heritage projects that benefit the railway, such as restoring locomotives and carriages, rail renewal and station improvements. The railway is supported by a family of organisations: the WSRA, the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group, Dinmore Manor Locomotive Ltd, and the Friends of Minehead Station and Friends of Stogumber Station.

Tickets, events and experiences are booked through the West Somerset Railway, not the WSRA. Visit west-somerset-railway.co.uk.

You can join online on our Membership page, paying by card or annual Direct Debit, or by BACS using the form on that page.

There are adult, couple, family, digital and WSR volunteer memberships. See the current fees on our Membership page.

Members receive the WSR Journal four times a year, a regular email newsletter and a discount on full-price travel on the West Somerset Railway, courtesy of WSR PLC. There are also discounts at some railway shops, and every member can attend and vote at WSRA general meetings.

Renew online on the Membership page. We email you a reminder about a month before your membership is due.

The WSRA owns three steam locomotives, all being restored to run on the West Somerset Railway:

• 80064, BR Standard 4MT 2-6-4 tank: frames at Cranmore and boiler at Riley’s, Lancashire. Under overhaul, planned to steam in the first half of 2028.
• 4561, GWR Small Prairie 2-6-2 tank: chassis at Williton and boiler at Riley’s, Lancashire. Under restoration: brake gear refitted, and new side water tanks made by volunteers at Minehead.
• 7821 Ditcheat Manor, GWR Manor class 4-6-0: on display at Swindon Designer Outlet, awaiting a major overhaul, which needs significant funding.

GWR Manor 7821 Ditcheat Manor is on free public display in the food court of Frasers Plus Designer Outlet Swindon, inside the old GWR works. More at ditcheatmanor.co.uk.

Regular updates and photos are on the 4561 blog, the 80064 blog and loco80064.co.uk, and in our news.

Yes. They include Mk1 TSO 4911, now being restored at Cranmore and expected back on the railway in early 2027, and the Hawksworth Saloon, which needs significant repairs to return to service in 2027. In all, the WSRA owns five Mk1 Tourist Second Open (TSO) carriages, one Mk1 Brake Composite Corridor (BCK), the four carriages of the Quantock Belle dining train, and the Hawksworth Saloon.

Choose a project on our Donate page: WSRA general funds, locomotives, carriages, rail renewal, stations or community work. Donations go through JustGiving, and the WSRA receives 100% of your donation for the fund you choose.

Yes. If you are a UK taxpayer you can add Gift Aid when you donate, which adds 25p to every £1 you give at no extra cost to you.

Yes. You can leave a share of your estate, a set amount or a specific item. Gifts to charity are free of Inheritance Tax. See our Legacies page or contact the office.

The 50:50 Club is a monthly prize draw for adults aged 18 or over. Tickets cost £1 each per draw: half of the money goes into the prize fund and half supports the WSRA. Each month six winners share the fund: 40% to first, 20% to second and 10% each to four third prizes. Join the 50:50 Club.

Restoring historic locomotives and carriages takes significant amounts of money. Even repainting a carriage is a substantial job, and a full carriage or steam locomotive restoration costs far more, so every donation, large or small, makes a real difference.

The WSRA needs volunteers for fundraising and community work: on-train advocates, fundraising events, admin, community outreach and the annual steam rally. Download the application form on our Volunteer page, or call 01823 433856 for a chat first.

Yes. The West Somerset Railway relies on more than 1,000 volunteers, in roles from station gardening and customer service to operational jobs, with training given. Volunteers on the operational railway register directly with WSR PLC, which is responsible for safety.

Yes, help is always welcome on our restoration projects. Email chair@wsra.org.uk to find out more.

Write to West Somerset Railway Association, The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3BX. Call 01823 433856 or email admin@wsra.org.uk. You can also use the form on our Contact page.

The WSRA office at Bishops Lydeard station is open Tuesday to Thursday, 10:00 to 16:00.

Follow our news page and Facebook page. Members also receive our regular email newsletter and the WSR Journal.